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Political Science
as a Social Science

POLS 205

Introduces the methodology of political and social research. Students gain an understanding of social science reasoning, knowledge of social science methodology, and practical research skills helpful for writing original research papers and undergraduate theses. The first half of the course focuses on research design for qualitative and quantitative studies. The second half introduces basic methods for collecting and analyzing quantitative data.



POLS 205

Political Science
as a Social Science

Offered frequently at the
University of Washington
by various instructors

Syllabus  

Readings  



Spring 2010

Class meets:
11:30 am-1:20 pm
Loew Hall 102

TA:

Amanda Clayton
(UW Political Science)

Section meets:
A: F 11:30 am-12:30 pm
B: F 12:30-1:20 pm
Smith Hall 220

Lectures           Click on lecture titles to view slides or the buttons to download them as PDFs.

Topic 1

Introduction  

Topic 2

Building Social Science Theories  

Topic 3

Evaluating Causal Theories  

Topic 4

Examples of Theory-Building in Political Science  

Topic 5

Experiment & Observation  

Topic 6

Qualitative & Quantitative Research Designs  

Topic 7

Concepts and Measurement  

Midterm

Review for Midterm Exam  

Topic 8

Describing and Exploring Data  

Topic 9

Making Inferences from Samples  

Topic 10

Analyzing Tables of Data  

Topic 11

Analyzing Bivariate Data  

Topic 12

Analyzing Multivariate Data, Part 1  

Topic 13

Analyzing Multivariate Data, Part 2  

Topic 14

Analyzing Multivariate Data, Part 3  

Class Project Results

Music Preference Model Results  

End of Term

Final Exam Review  


Student Assignments

Regular Problem Sets  

Due in Section


Midterm Exam

In Class, April 28 in Loew 102

A review session will be held and a review sheet distributed April 26, in class.


Final Exam

June 9, 2:30 pm to 4:20 pm, Loew Hall 102

A review session will be held and a review sheet distributed June 2, in class.



University of Washington link

CSSS Center for Statistics and the Social Sciences link

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